Police recover stolen handgun from 26 years ago

WINNIPEG — Winnipeg police have recovered a missing handgun after arresting a suspect in the city’s West End.

Police said the man dropped what police later discovered was a gun in a yard while officers were chasing him Friday night.

Around 11 p.m. police were patrolling the city around Wellington Avenue and Simcoe Street when they spotted a 20-year-old man who was known to them.

Officers said his behaviour was suspicious and he eventually tried to evade the patrolling police officers.

Moments before being arrested, police allege the man went between two houses and dropped something in the yard before coming back out.

Following his arrest, investigators found an unloaded Smith & Wesson .357 handgun along with 6 rounds of .38 calibre ammunition.

Further investigation revealed the gun was stolen from a home in Winnipeg in 1989.

The man has been charged with possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose; unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited or a restricted firearm with ammunition and possession of a firearm, prohibited or restricted weapon obtained by crime.